The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken" held an extended meeting of the Committee for Economic Reform and Regional Development of Mazhilis of the Parliament of RK. The agenda of the meeting was "Introduction of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan”.  In particular, we discussed the work of NCE in the context of what benefits does an entrepreneur get due to the activities of NCE RK "Atameken".

During the meeting was announced information on the actual performance of NCE in cooperation with public authorities and various commissions and advisory bodies under central and local executive bodies and Maslikhats (Tariffs, land and water issues, architecture and town planning, the development of standards and technical regulations and other issues) with a view to protect interests of business. Representatives of the Chamber spoke about amendments made by NCE to the current legislation and substantial reduction of administrative barriers for Kazakhstani entrepreneurs.

Vice-Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Timur Zhaksylykov noted in his speech that since its establishment in September 2013 NCE took an active part in the work undertaken by the Government to create the most favorable conditions for the development of Kazakhstani business, improving the business climate in the country.

"Practice shows that the National Chamber could become a viable organization which upholds the interests of the domestic business, both in Kazakhstan and at the international level", - he said.

Deputy Minister said that currently the Chamber is involved in the entire legislative process, as a result of which, taking into account the needs of entrepreneurs were developed and adopted such fundamental and systemic laws as:

1. "On permissions and notifications", due to which was substantially reduced the number of permits and a comprehensive list of permits. By the end of 2015 it is planned to reduce the number of permits by 50%.
2. On radical measures to improve the business environment, which aims to create conditions for development of entrepreneurship and building partnerships between the state and business, to create a favorable business climate with a transition from the policy of "identify and punish" to the policy of "prevention and promotion of good business".
3. On limitation of the state's participation in business, the main purpose of which is to reduce proportion of state involvement in the areas of the economy where there is business.

Draft law "On self-regulation” is being currently considered by Mazhilis of the Parliament, which is also developed with the direct participation of the Chamber.

• There was introduced an institute of ombudsman to protect the rights of entrepreneurs (business ombudsman), the purpose of which is to bring the work on protection of the rights of entrepreneurs to a new level. Practice shows that in the current economic conditions, business now needs more effective instruments of legal protection in connection with that we are currently working on strengthening of the role of the institute of business ombudsman", - said Zhaksylykov.

The Vice-Minister also noted that the National Chamber has been actively involved in the formation and further development of the Eurasian Economic Union. By providing an effective and mutually beneficial partnership between the business community and public authorities of Kazakhstan. The Chamber is the main coordinator of the domestic business, representing the interests of our entrepreneurs at the site of the Eurasian Economic Commission. "At the initiative of the Chamber the question of creation of the Business Council of the Eurasian Economic Union is being reviewed, which, of course, in the future will form a favorable business climate in the Eurasian Economic Union, empowering local entrepreneurs and eliminating the barriers in mutual trade”,  - he said.

Chairman of the Board of NCE RK "Atameken" Ablai Myrzakhmetov in general described the structure of the organization, its staff number, budget execution, as well as the main activities of the Chamber.

• The National Chamber created and maintains a database of goods, works and services and their suppliers to support domestic producers, as well as developed criteria for evaluating vendors for inclusion in the database and conducting analytical studies in the field of procurement and increase of the share of local content", - he said .

According to Ablai Myrzakhmetov, in 2014 the total number of complaints received by NCE was 268. Of these appeals 34.4% were related to issues of public procurement, 27.6% of appeals related to procurement of “Samruk-Kazyna” companies, 9.3% to procurements of subsoil users and 28.7% to other procurements. The total number of complaints received by RCE (Regional Chambers of Entrepreneurs) amounted to 1174. Of these appeals 26.5% were related to public procurement, 30.3% of appeals related to procurement of “Samruk-Kazyna” companies, 5% to procurements of subsoil users and 38.2% to other procurements.

NCE is also working in the field of human capital development. Thus, the Chamber surveyed 4746 businesses to identify staffing needs for the next 3 and 12 months. It revealed a need for 23,798 specialists. There was conducted an analysis of the legal acts on VET. There were revealed contradictions in 16 of them, creating administrative barriers to the introduction of dual education, there were adopted 6 NRA (during consideration of 2 of them amendments of NCE were not taken into account); 2 on the stage of harmonization; comments were provided for 4. A draft law "On education" was proposed by MES, Mazhilis. The Roadmap is designed to introduce a dual system of education in VET in compliance with the orders of enterprises. There were created 32 training centers for skills development under the industry associations and enterprises. There were signed 27 agreements on patronage between businesses and colleges, there were created 2 consortiums (Kyzylorda, Taraz), there were signed 3 agreements on transfer of 3 colleges under the patronage of industry associations (Almaty).

"Not every organization or even an individual entrepreneur can afford to hire a qualified lawyer, marketing manager, specialists in the implementation of quality standards. National Chamber performs the functions of non-financial support to subjects of entrepreneurship, which is primarily to provide free services to entrepreneurs: advice on accounting and tax records, as well as preparation of statistical reports; advice on customs procedures, including consultations in the field of customs legislation and procedures, etc. All services are aimed at increasing the number of active business entities and the number of jobs", - said Myrzakhmetov.

According to him, currently there were opened and operate 188 centers to support entrepreneurs, covering all areas, single-industry cities and towns. 365 consultants of BSC serve the population and entrepreneurs at the district level. At BSC there is a representation of KazAgro, state agencies, financial institutions, there are classrooms for the organization of seminars and training at the School of Business. By the results of the 1st quarter of 2015, more than 26 thousand people received legal advice. There were provided more than 44 thousand consultations.

The Department of Public Relations of NCE RK "Atameken":

+7 (7172) 91 93 67, pr@palata.kz

Official website: www.palata.kz